CITY HIRES LAWYER TO FIGHT PROPOSED RAILROAD SPUR

Scott GregoryCHICAGO TRIBUNE

City officials have hired a Chicago attorney with a history of railroad litigation experience to arm themselves for a probable fight to keep the Union Pacific Railroad from building a spur through West Chicago.

The proposal remains in limbo as Union Pacific works out contract details with another railroad. But city officials are preparing themselves for the possibility of the project near Washington and Clara Streets.

The City Council recently approved spending up to $15,000 to hire Thomas McFarland as special attorney.

"He has had success representing municipalities and citizens groups at the federal level," Mayor Steven Lakics said. "He has been successful in getting groups' points across. He's very familiar in dealings with railroads."

McFarland said last week that he had begun preparing for Union Pacific's possible appearance before the Surface Transportation Board to gain approval for the project's construction.

The railroad has eminent domain, meaning it can move to condemn properties whose owners choose not to sell. But McFarland said the city's effort to fight the proposal is not a lost cause.

"There are certain standards that come into play, such as safety considerations," McFarland said.

Union Pacific's plan would connect its line to the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern tracks. Railroad officials say the move would ease freight train congestion and divert rail traffic from Chicago.

About 23 homes would be purchased and demolished to build the spur. Hundreds of other nearby homeowners would face noise and road traffic, city officials say.

The spur also could create hazards, such as stalling emergency vehicles at several train crossings, officials said.

Some West Chicago officials have said it would be better to run the spur south across undeveloped DuPage Airport property and west through Fermilab. Railroad officials say that would be too costly.